Hearts That Share & Minds That Grow - Lotus Petals Foundation

Hearts That Share & Minds That Grow by Lotus Petal Foundation (Special Project of the Good Schools Alliance)

The students of Lotus Petals Foundation eagerly look forward to Sundays, as it's their special time for reflection and joy. They cherish this quiet moment where thoughts are shared, feelings are expressed, and learnings are celebrated. For them, Sunday reflections are not just about looking back, but also about dreaming ahead. They love the warmth, the stories, and the sense of togetherness it brings, making it the most awaited part of their week.

My Good School, Sunday the 6th July 2025

Weekly "My Good School" session focused on reading, reflection, and personal growth for students.

Key Takeaways

1. Discussed the importance of resilience and a positive mindset when facing challenges, using Steve Jobs' life story as an example
2. Explored the value of reflection vs. note-taking for deeper learning and personal growth
3. Introduced internship opportunities for students to gain practical business experience
4. Emphasised the importance of focused reading and listening for developing intelligence and leadership skills

Topics

Book Discussion: "The Door-to-Door Bookstore"

• Continued reading Chapter 5, focusing on characters Carl and Schascha
• Explored themes of friendship, misunderstandings, and helping others overcome challenges
• Discussed how Carl and Mrs Longstocking devised a plan to help Hercules learn to read

Personal Growth and Resilience

• Examined Steve Jobs' life story as an example of overcoming setbacks and persevering
• Discussed the concept of "blessing in disguise" - how apparent setbacks can lead to positive outcomes
• Encouraged students to develop a growth mindset and view challenges as opportunities for learning

Reflection vs. Note-taking

• Explained the difference between taking notes (recording information) and reflection (processing and applying information)
• Encouraged students to practice reflection to deepen their understanding and personal growth
• Introduced the Joy of Learning Diaries as a platform for sharing reflections

Internship Program

• Announced internship opportunities for students to gain practical business experience
• Explained the program structure: weekly meetings, hands-on projects, exposure to business operations
• Discussed fees and scholarship options for eligible schools

Additional Learning Opportunities

• Introduced "Brewing Knowledge" Friday evening book reading sessions
• Highlighted the importance of focused reading and listening for developing intelligence

Next Steps

• Students are encouraged to write reflections on the session and share them on the Joy of Learning Diaries.
• Interested students should explore the internship application process on schooleducation.com
• Participants are invited to join Friday evening "Brewing Knowledge" sessions for additional reading practice.
• Next week's session will follow a similar format, combining reading and reflection. 

A Sunday Well Spent: Voices from Sunbeam Lahartara

 

A Heartwarming Glimpse into Our Sunday Session at Sunbeam School

Reflections Sunday School # 183

Episode 16 – "Gyan Bohit: Boat of Wisdom" from the Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels series:

We are delighted to share a wonderful summary of this Sunday’s session, beautifully presented by the students of Sunbeam School. Their creativity, depth of thought, and enthusiastic participation reflect the joy and genuine love they have for our Sunday School experience.

It’s truly inspiring to witness how these young minds express themselves so freely, embracing every opportunity to learn, collaborate, and grow. Their reflections speak volumes about the impact of a nurturing and engaging environment—one where curiosity is encouraged, and learning is filled with meaning and purpose.

We warmly invite you to join us and experience firsthand the reason behind the students’ affection for our Sunday sessions. Discover how a thoughtful blend of creativity, values, and interactive learning makes each Sunday truly special.

Sunbeam School Lahartara

Subeam Varuna Newsletter December 2024

Enjoy your holidays, read the reflections and share #JoyOfLearning!

GSA Calendar December 2024

My Good School every Sunday

1st December 

Lina Ashar

Dreamtime Learning
- My Name Is Cinnamon reading by Jugjiv Singh

8th December

Amardeep Singh

Screening of Episode 12
Allegory: A Tapestry of Guru Nanak's Travels
- The Inner Life Of Animals - reading by Sandeep Dutt

Sunbeam Schools #JoyOfLearning

Varanasi YES Workshop for students and Joy Of Giving for teachers from 12th December to 16th December.

15th December

My Name Is Cinnamon - Jugjiv Singh

The Inner Life Of Animals - Sandeep Dutt

22nd December

Meeting with Anika Singh of VOYCE, a Social Artist.

https://www.voyce.in

The Inner Life Of Animals - Sandeep Dutt

28th December 

The Impact Team Meeting at 7:00 pm

WhatsApp Group Call

29th December
My Name Is Cinnamon - Jugjiv Singh
The Inner Life Of Animals - Sandeep Dutt
Reflections for 2024 - learning outcomes from the YES Workshops at Varanasi.

Good Schools India Journal

2nd December

Reading for a Living

Sandeep Dutt
15th December
2 Girls 1 Mic - Oshi and Simar 
27th December 
Where Passion Meets Education

The Teacher's Academy

Masterclass every Saturday at 5:30 pm
7th, 14th, 21st and 28th December

Book reading:

Shomie Das, The Man Who Saw Tomorrow

Masterclass by Sandeep Dutt

Reflection Sunday 10th November 2024

Reflection of the week 

-From My Name Is Cinnamon- 

1. What was your takeaway from the session today?  

2. What were the key points in the chapter? 

3. Journey of self-discovery

4. Being honest with ourselves

5. Importance of reflection and clear thought 

6. When you write a poem how do you feel? 

7. How do you think Cinnamon would feel if he met his birth parents

8. Between the head and the heart

- From The Hidden Life Of Trees –  

1. Why is the chapter named "Not just a commodity?"

2. What is your takeaway from today’s session? 

3. What did you learn from this book?

4. Do trees have a life of their own? How can humans learn to respect that? 

5. Life from the eyes of trees

6. Taking care of trees and nature with dignity

7. We aren't a part of nature, we are nature

8. Lessons from this book

"I think writing a poem is oddly fulfilling and a unique art itself. Its unique how we're able to express our thoughts about something in a set of lines. I think it brings us to think deeper about what we're writing because we aren't just writing a paragraph but writing about our feelings and ideas about something in a few lines, choosing the right words at every step. And when you're done writing that poem, there's a sense of fulfillment when you read it again because it just opens a new perspective about it. 

I don't write blogs that often now but when I'm bored at home, I take out a paper and pen and write poems because it truly is something that's so unique." - Rishona Chopra

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!      

      

You can email your reflections at -      

mk@learningforward.org.in

My Good School 10th Nov 2024

Reading My Name Is Cinnamon - complete the chapter 8; and complete reading the book "The Hidden Life of Trees" by Peter Wohlleben, as well as plan for an upcoming retreat and initiate an "Impact Study" project.

Key Takeaways

• Trees are highly interconnected through underground fungal networks, forming a "Wood-Wide Web" that allows them to communicate and support each other. 

• Helping children like Cinnamon from the book deal with difficult emotions requires providing a supportive environment, encouraging reflection, and engaging them in enjoyable activities. 

• The upcoming retreat will involve spending time in a forest, connecting with underprivileged children, and continuing the group reading experience. 

• The "Impact Study" project aims to assess how the Teacher's Academy program is developing students' 21st century skills like critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. 

• Practices like writing poems, maintaining reading logs, and reflecting on readings can enhance personal growth and reading comprehension. 

Topics

Reading and Discussing "The Hidden Life of Trees"

• The group continued reading and discussing chapters from the book, exploring how trees communicate and support each other through underground fungal networks. 

• The discussion focused on understanding Cinnamon's emotional journey and ways to help him deal with his feelings in a healthy manner. 

Upcoming Retreat

• The group discussed the plans for an upcoming retreat, where participants will spend time in a forest, connect with underprivileged children, and continue their group reading experience. 

• The retreat will also involve a visit to the "My Good School" studio and a city tour. 

"Impact Study" Project

• The group initiated an "Impact Study" project to assess the impact of the Teacher's Academy program on the development of students' 21st century skills. 

• The project will involve gathering feedback from teachers and students, and analyzing data to understand the program's effectiveness.

 

Next Steps

• Gurdeep will connect with Kunal to obtain the data from the previous impact study and use it as a starting point for the new project. 

• The group will work together to develop a set of questions to gather feedback from teachers and students on a monthly basis. 

• The findings from the impact study will be shared and discussed in future meetings, and the next meeting will be on the 24th of November 2024.

Reflections Sunday the 29th September 2024

Jugjiv Sir, Sandeep Sir  and participants discussed the third anniversary of "My Good School" on October 1st, 2024, and the upcoming calendar. They welcomed Jhamku Devi Secondary School from Abohar, Punjab. 

The calendar for October was shared an includes key dates like the GSI India journal publication and the "Two Girls, One Mic" episode. 

They read from the book "My Name is Cinnamon," discussing themes of cheating and the importance of honesty. 

They read from The Hidden Life Of Trees and  explored the impact of weather on trees, including frost, lightning, and wind, emphasizing the importance of natural growth and community support for tree health. The session concluded with a reflection on the importance of honesty and the impact of natural disasters on trees.

Reflections for the week 

-My Name Is Cinnamon- 

1. What was your takeaway from the session today? 

2. What was discussed in the chapter today?

3. What are boundaries? How can you maintain them?

4. Experiences while giving an exam

5. Would a help a person who is seeking the answer to a question? 

6. What makes monsoon winds move?

7. How is the weather in Pune?

8. How is weather determined?

9. What is Ratnagari famous for?

10. A journey by train

11. Would you prefer travelling by train or by air? 

12. On what percentage are India's train electrified?

- From The Hidden Life Of Trees – 

1. What are clusters?

2. What is your takeaway from today’s session?

3. What happens when thicker coat is formed on leaves?

4. What role do trunks play?

5. How do trees survive?

6. How do trees change shape and direction and why? 

7. What is "hoar frost"? 

8. When do the trees look like they've been sprinkled with sugar?

9. What do the scars represent? 

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections! You can email your reflections at - mk@learningforward.org.in

Rishona Chopra

School Captain

—-

Here are some strategies schools could use to encourage students to reflect more on their learning experiences after sessions:

1. Provide structured reflection templates or prompts: Give students a framework to guide their reflections, such as questions about key takeaways, challenges faced, or new perspectives gained.

2. Allocate dedicated reflection time: Set aside time after each session for students to individually or collectively reflect on their learning. This signals the importance of the reflection process.

3. Encourage peer-to-peer sharing: Allow students to share their reflections with classmates, either in small groups or as a whole class. This can spark deeper discussions and insights.

4. Incorporate reflection into assessments: Make reflective writing a part of the assessment process, such as including a reflection component in assignments or projects.

5. Recognize and celebrate reflective thinking: Acknowledge and appreciate students who demonstrate thoughtful reflection, either through verbal praise or by showcasing their reflections.

6. Model effective reflection: Teachers can demonstrate their own reflective practices, sharing how they learn and grow from their experiences.

7. Provide feedback on reflections: Offer constructive feedback on students' reflections, highlighting strengths and suggesting areas for improvement.

The key is to make reflection an integral and valued part of the learning process, rather than an afterthought. By fostering a culture of reflective thinking, schools can help students develop essential skills for lifelong learning and personal growth.

Courtesy Otter AI.

Reflections - Sunday School 1st September 2024

- From My Guide Inside- 

1. What was your takeaway from the session today? 

2. What were the words discussed today and how do they reverberate with you? 

3. I used to believe, that I am. 

4. I used to believe… But, now I understand…

Note: MGI Online is a school well-being curriculum which aligns with, the work we do at My Good School and helps us focus on Life-skills.

-From My Name Is Cinnamon-     

1. Don't you think math was invented to torture us?

2. What are UAO (Unattractive Academic Objects) according to you?

3. What are nicknames you use for someone and why?

4. Did you read any detective novels or know some famous detectives?  

5. Solve the following problem,' said Kadubole. 'Shashat has Rs 400. He spends 3/4 on sardines and 1/4 on prawns. 1 kg of prawns cost Rs 150 and 1 kg of sardines cost Rs 50. How many kgs of prawns and sardines does he buy? 

6. Does Cinnamon's life anecdotes resonate with you and how?

These are some suggestions you can choose from. We are looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!     

     

You can email your reflections to  mk@learningforward.org.in

We will read Chapter 28 - Burnout, from The Hidden Life Of Trees, next week.

Sunbeam Varuna #JoyOfLearning

 We love ❤️ Sunday School

We are reading

Jataka Tales by Francis & Thomas

The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

Sunday School 11th August 2024

Sunday School by Sandeep Dutt

Jugjiv Singh is the narrator at the My Good School sessions for reading, reflection, and relationships #JoyOfLearning.

Read on Substack

We share our #JoyOfLearning at our Sunday School; enjoy the My Good School session recording on 11th August 2024. Check it out: excerpt of The Great Dreams - Jataka Tales, our current read. Jugjiv Singh is our anchor and coach for the Sunday morning Zoom Sessions. His reading and conversations are legendary. 

Reflections for the week - Sunday 4th August 2024

GSA Members are attending the Global Ed Fest

- From My Guide Inside- 

1. What was your takeaway from the session today? 

2. Life is a figment of your imagination. 

3. I used to believe; now I am...

4. Reflect on this quote: "You have the gift of thought to use as you choose. Imagine that!"

      -Describe something you remember making up. Use these sentence starters: 

5. I used to believe… But, now I understand…

Note: MGI Online is a school well-being curriculum which aligns with, for example, Life Skills classes

- From Jataka Tales -     

1. Find out about Jetavana.

2. What are the three calamities of your life? How will you help yourself?

3. Which dream of yours did not let you sleep?

4. What lessons can we take away from the story today?  

5. What does it feel like when your dreams come true?

- From The Hidden Life Of Trees – 

1. Find out about anemones.

2. What is your takeaway from today's session?

3. Why is there a battle for every light of sunshine in the forest?

These are some suggestions you can choose from. Looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!     

You can email your reflections to - mk@learningforward.org.in
Feel free to call Ma'am Manisha Khanna for help, you fill find the number on the top right of the page.